Apparatus for the manufacture of steel and for the refining thereof.



J. W. LATOHER. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL AND FOR THE REFINING THEREOF.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE5,1912. I

Patented De0.2, 1913.

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

' and for the Refining JOHN WALTHART LATCHER, OF EDINBURG, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL AND FOR THE REFINING THEREOF.

osaaafa.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

Application filed June 5, 1912. Serial No. 702,137.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN WALTHART LATC'HER, citizen'of the United States, residing at Edinburg, in the county of Saratoga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Steel Thereof, of which the following is a speci cation.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the manufacture of steel and for the refining thereof.

The object of my invention is to produce steels and so-called malleable iron utilizing continuously the initial heat generated in a Bessemer converter or open-hearth furnace, receiving the molten mass therefrom into counter-whirling pots which are rotated on vertical axes in an upright position, and at the first stage, projecting a gasair flame, analogous to a Bunsen torch, downward upon the metal while in a molten state, in the open mouth of the pot while the latter is made to counter-whirl; the hot blast is stopped after a brief time, but the pot continues its motion till the cast or formin the pot solidifies, and while yet at a high welding heat, the cast or cylindriform mass is then emptied from the pot.

The accompanying drawings of this specification.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of my invention, showing the steam cylinder the piston of which actuates the pot reciprocatform a part ing, as indicated by the double-pointedarrow. Fig. 2 is a vertical elevation of a part of my invention partly in central vertical section, showing the gas blast and hood over pot or refiner. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the pot inverted to dump out the cast on to the apron of the kneading apparatus. Fig. 4 exhibits a partial View of the chuck or carrier that imparts a counter-whirling motion to the pot, the samebeing actuated by the steam cylinder, shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the pot or refiner. Fig. 6 is a corresponding view of the bottom detached. Fig. 7 is a top view of the chuck or carrier. Fig. 8 is, an upright view of the solidified cast. Fig. 9 is a top view of the segment and gear.

All the figures in the drawing are made on approximately a uniform scale except Figs. 5 and 6, which are about double the 5 size. Similar letters of reference indicate direction of motion of the different parts, those with a point at each end indicating a forward and backward motion.

The pot A is detachably mounted on afour-armed chuck A, with its arms a" a" a" at extending upward, to loosely embrace the pot A; the said chuck A is rigidly secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 6, having suitable fixed bearings, the nethermost bearing being the step for the shaft at its extreme lower end; a gear 0 is secured to the shaft 6 which engages with the reciprocating rack 62 which in turn, is firmly secured at one end to the piston rod 0 which is propelled by steam, compressed air or other motive agency in the cylinder F; the reciprocating motion of the rack is controlled automatically or by an operator, at a desired speed, whether slow or swift.

In the first stages after receiving the molten metal, my apparatus imparts a quickly-revolving motion to the refining pot A, to more certainly expel the gas and all other impurities foreign to a clean product.

It will be understood that any motive power may be substituted for the steam cylinder F, to impart a counter-motion to the refining pot 01' container, which is by a suitable valve to be entirely under the control of the operator as before stated.

A detailed description of Figs. 5 and 6 is as follows,the outer case should be made of plate steel of ample thickness to resist the centrifugal motion, shock and wear and tear in its use; and should be provided with strong trunnions placed and secured to opposite sides, on the outer side of the casing g, slightly above the balancing point of the pot so that the mouth of the pot will be upright, but so that it can be easily tilted by hand or automatic means with its bottom uppermost when it is desired to remove the solidified cast or form P, as shown in Fi 3.

To recapitulate: g 9 represent the steel shell of both top and bottom portion; the lining h is of the usual refractory material, fire clay, fire brick or ganister; the trunnions i i are for receiving the crane hooks J for v the purpose of raising the pot A from the chuck A Fig. '1 and carrying the same to a point where the pot A is inverted, as in.di-'

cated by the dotted curve shown in Figs. 4 and 3, in order to deposit the cast or form P. The bottom Z is secured to the top or part M by means of bolts or keys in any firm a way. The dotted circle n Fig. shows probable location of a trunnion on the outer shell of the pot A. Metal bands are also placed around the pot A as shown at 0' 0 to strengthen the pot and also to loosely fit within the chuck A and arms a" a" a" a"; lugs or projections may be secured to these bands 0 0, especially the upper one, for insuring the certain counter-whirling motion of the pot A within the chuck arms as they whirl and'counterwhirl. Other forms of the the chuck A may be used without ,the upright arms to perform the same function,

that is, imparting a counter motion to the pot A while it is a temporary receptacle for molten metal or steel in a fluid orsemi-fluid state, for the purpose of expelling any foreign matter or impurities that it may contain when poured from the mixer or converter. I

Fig. 2 exhibits a detached view of the pot A and its attachments, with counter-whirling chuck A; this figure shows a gas-air blast indicated by arrow in nozzle 3), and hot blast g, which is projected downward on the molten mass as soon as the pot is .chargedthe pot being already in motion;

this blast is kept on for a few mJnutes to maintain the upper portion of the contents in a fused condition to accelerate the escape of gas generated in the converter or mixer. A suitable hood r is placed over and above the pot A to conduct away the heat and fumes. The high heat and the alternation of pressure due to' the intermittent centrifugal aid in escape to the surface of gaseous and other impurities and the counter-whirling stirs the metal very thoroughly to the bottom and mixes all the particles uniformly without exposing it to air so as to absorb and form blow holes.

The pot A is heated on its inner surface to a high heat so as not to chill the molten metalwhen the same is poured therein, the pot is given a counter-whirling motion through all the stages till solidified'or semisolid, until the cast or form P is thought to be in condition to be removed from the pot A for the kneading and rub-rolling operation. The pot is lifted by a bail or bifurcated hooks J J engaging with trunnions i i secured to the pot A. i

The pot A has a larger diameter at the top or mouth than at its bottom as will be seen.

in the various figures, for the purpose of insuring easy removal of the cast P.

The counter-whirling of the fluid and semi-fluid metal and with the aid ofthe Bunsen-like or gas-fired flame downward blast in the first stage of the counter-whirling of the pot, acting on or upon the castwhile the same is at a high heat embraces the main features of my invention. The devices and mechanisms employed will bring the atoms of the metal into closer contact than usual expelling all foreign matter or impurities, gases, slag and the like while the metal is in a fused or molten state. The making and refining of the steel is,'by this method continuous from the initial heat till it is ready for delivery to the slabbing rolls, therefore, dispensing with the employment of ingot molds which are so fruitful in the production of faults in the steel. Soaking pits or heating furnaces for the ingots are,

therefore, dispensed with, and the consequent stripping 6f the ingot mold from the ingot and other concomitants that render such use expensive, which my invention shuns. The product is much'more tough, firm and dense in structure.

By my apparatus I am enabled to produce a distinctly fibrous steel in structure instead of granulous, whether the product contains a greater or a lesser per centum of carbon or other hardening alloy. My product is especially adapted for ordnance, car wheels, railway rails and structural material and the like where great tensile strength is of the utmost importance.

It is believed, by the use of this machineworking of the steel,-quickly and swiftly, as above stated, the heat in .the mass will be utilized to the good of the product,-taken in a highly fused state in which condition it can be easily influenced by the counterwhirlingmotion of the container, thereby rearranging the molecular structureatoms and spaces, in closer adhesion and cohesion, than'by my previous practice.

I have already pointed out the effect of pouring the steel into a cold mold as causing honeycombing, etc., of the metal; but, by

doing so, also, causes the carbon or hardening element to be attracted to the chilling body from the yet molten interior, leaving the latter more or less decarbcnized, while that portion of the ingot in nearest contact with the mold will be fully carbonized, as will be practically demonstrated after the ingot is annealed and a cross-section taken, and borings made from the center toward the chilled edge. By heating the pots in their interiors I am enabled to maintain a uniform heat ofthe cast or form from center to exterior till the same is solid enough to be rub-rolled, which must be followed up immediately to get a billet or bloom uniform in density, ductility and tenacity throughout the entire mass. It is impracticable to heat a large mass of metal of, say, 6,000 pounds, or even a 4,000-pound ingot,

uniformly from center to exterior surface a when same has become cold-unless the mass be completely fused. When ingots are heat-' from center to exterior when taken from the furnace and subjected to the rolling operation,surface of the billet will creep or overreaoh, if exterior is too hot,a'nd, on the other hand, if taken too soon from the ingot mold and not subjected long enough to the heat of the furnace, the interior which is in a nearly fused state, will sometimes force its way through the outer and less hot portion, inducing seams in the slab or billet as it is rol1ed,bursting of the billet, as it were.

The top surface in the center of the molten mass rises and falls at each change of the counter motion of the pot, rising at each period of rest and sinking again when the opposite motion becomes rapid, therefore, in stopping and in motion, this action, facilitates the throwing up the lighter matter or impurities from the Vortex because the mass is more fluid in the center by reason of greater heat at this point.

At each discharge of the cast from the pot, it is to be recharged with metal from mixer, converter or open-hearth furnace, after which the same operations are to be gone over with as already stated, and to be re-- peated. When a freshpot is substituted it should be heated to redness inside to prevent chilling or cooling of the metal when poured therein, as before stated.

I claim Y 1. In a steel-making and refining apparatus, the combination of a pot having a refractory lining, a detachable oscillating support therefor, and mechanism to counterwhirl said support around the axis of the pot.

2. In a steel-making and refining appa ratus, the combination of a pot having a refractory lining, oscillating means detachably supporting said pot, and mechanism to counterwhirl said supporting means around the axis of the pot.

3. Ina steel-making and refining apparatus, the combination of a pot having a refractory lining, means to counterwhirl the same, and heating means supported over the top of said pot provided with a burner to project a flame on the metal while the pot is in motion.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN WALTHART LATCHER.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. LEHMAN, ANNA O. LEHMAN. 

